Premiership rugby on an artificial pitch?

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11-05-10, 16:57
AndyS

Premiership rugby on an artificial pitch?

In what would be a very controversial move, England's Premiership rugby could move from traditional grass surfaces to artificial pitches.

The move has come from club owners and major shareholders, and according to the Sunday Telegraph, the Premiership's governing body is considering the switch in an effort to get "higher quality" matches.

Traditionalists will be strongly opposed to the idea, as the muddy battles in the middle of an English winter have always been a cornerstone of the game.

"We will be taking a hard look at pitches over the summer [mid-year period]," Mark McCafferty, Premier Rugby's chief executive told The Guardian.

"We want to ensure consistent surfaces in the hope that they will lead to higher quality games. I don't see it in place for next season but it could happen later."

All the proposals are part of a five-year strategy designed to potentially use the surfaces in the 2015 World Cup in England.

According to The Guardian, both Fifa and the IRB are working together to develop the artificial surface that will be suitable for both rugby and football.
http://www.rugby365.com/all_news/2403984.htm

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So, sooner that than considering a move to summer to create a global season...?
11-05-10, 17:09
Sheikh

Rather an artificial pitch than that travesty they had at Wembley. Just ask Dunning and Polota-Nua.
11-05-10, 17:31
welshrugbyfan

So the new sponsorship is dettol I take it?

Do they not know how much skin is lost on that stuff.

Not alot of thought gone into that one.
11-05-10, 17:36
travelling_gerry

Actually saw a article on Total Rugby about an artifical pitch used in France??

Not like a hockey type pitch. And they put small ground up rubber pieces in the thatch and no grazes or nothing.
11-05-10, 17:40
travelling_gerry

http://www.tigerturfworld.com/eu/new...c-rugby-pitch/
11-05-10, 17:54
beige

Yeah the All Blacks train on something called "field-turf" or similar (the Hong Kong rugby team's home ground uses it too) - technology's moved a lot further on this one.
11-05-10, 18:14
welshrugbyfan

Sounds good then. I'd like a mini one as my front lawn, complete with field markings.
11-05-10, 18:15
brokendown gunfighter

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshrugbyfan

Sounds good then. I'd like a mini one as my front lawn, complete with field markings.

but with no posts?:D
11-05-10, 20:46
pruc

i have played on artificial, both hockey field which still wasnt that bad a custom rugby field at the DE Tigers home ground in Hongkong. The stuff is fine some vaseline on the knees and elbows just to be safe and its just as good as grass
11-05-10, 21:26
pieter blackie

Quote:

Originally Posted by pruc

The stuff is fine some vaseline on the knees and elbows just to be safe and its just as good as grass

:shakeshead:
12-05-10, 06:52
TOCC

id hate to see artificial turf replace all the pitches in the Premiership, but defienetly some clubs need to consider it, some of the fields arent grass, just mudd painted green
12-05-10, 12:22
tragic

What's wrong with mud? :P

Do faces cope with being shoved forcibly into artificial turf?
12-05-10, 12:49
AndyS

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshrugbyfan

Sounds good then. I'd like a mini one as my front lawn, complete with field markings.

Some folk around where my folks live have artificial lawns. Some are relatively poor, but others are almost indistinguishable from the real thing even to the touch. What I've always wondered about though, especially here, is how hot they would get in direct sunshine.

My preference would be the systems that stabilise the surface and provide a supporting matrix through which real grass grows, such as on the Chiefs ground. It may all be something that will crop up in our future though, especially if we are sharing a stadium with both League and Soccer.
12-05-10, 13:26
MI5_Dog

It's my opinion that artificial turf increases wear on joints especially knees. Even with a rubber underlay it is hell on the legs, especially for someone who weighs in excess of or even under 100kg.
12-05-10, 14:14
pruc

Quote:

Originally Posted by MI5_Dog

It's my opinion that artificial turf increases wear on joints especially knees. Even with a rubber underlay it is hell on the legs, especially for someone who weighs in excess of or even under 100kg.

opposite for me, i found it was easier to run on...